Ramadan Mubarak 2024!
By Roya, Media Ambassador
As Muslims around the world mark the start of Ramadan, Roya takes a look at its origins and its significance for our young people.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the holiest month for Muslims because during Ramadan, the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). Muslims observe this month by fasting from food and liquids - even water - during daylight hours, reading the Qur’an, charity, and refraining from lying, arguing or fighting.
There are five pillars of Islam: Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salah (praying five times a day), Zakat-al-Fitr (donating 2.5% of annual income to charity during Ramadan), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (a pilgrimage to Mecca).
As well as carrying out Sawm during Ramadan, Muslims also observe Zakat, which marks its end. Parents pay the charitable donation on behalf of children and all money goes to less fortunate Muslim communities. This year, Gaza - where the majority have no access to basic essentials such as food and water - will receive Zakat from Muslims around the world, as well as prayers.
As well as the important spiritual aspects of Ramadan where we remember those less fortunate than us, it is also a time of community where many people rejoice; this could be through invitations to Iftar, breaking their fasts together at sunset, or to Suhoor, eating a meal just before sunrise to prepare for the day of fasting ahead of them.
KRAN’s young people and Ramadan
Many of our young people come from Islamic backgrounds from places such as Afghanistan, Sudan, Syria, Kurdistan and Yemen and many observe Ramadan. However, a large majority come unaccompanied meaning that the communal aspects of Ramadan could present a challenge. Feelings of loneliness and isolation from family could return, especially during Iftar and Suhoor meals.
KRAN’s young people have the opportunity to meet others from similar backgrounds and this means they can develop a community for themselves here where they could invite each other over for Iftar or Suhoor, or to worship together.
Ramadan is a time of worship and community and at KRAN we are very proud of our own community we have formed where young people can observe religious events together.
Ramadan Mubarak!
What happens at the end of Ramadan?
There are two Eids in the Islamic year, one is Eid al-Fitr and one is Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr is the Islamic celebration which marks the end of Ramadan. After a month of fasting, Eid celebrations last for three days and usually involve people inviting one another over for feasts of food.
Different cultures have different Eid traditions but a common tradition is baking sweet treats such as baklava, kunafeh, gosh-e-fil, and gulab jamun.
Other traditions include giving Eid spending money or presents to children and loved ones to celebrate the festival.
Eid al-Adha is the Islamic celebration which commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s faith in God. Muslims celebrate this by donating sacrificed meat to charity.